BEMIDJI, Minn. (Sept. 24, 2009) — The Bemidji State University Department of Music’s 2009-10 performance season officially gets underway Sunday, Oct. 4, with the annual Carl O. Thompson Memorial concert. The show is scheduled for 3 p.m. in the Thompson Recital Hall of the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex.

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and free for students.

In addition to performances by BSU’s major performing ensembles, the concert will feature student performances by the two winners of the Carl O. Thompson scholarship. Performing this year will be Kathryn Morrill, a senior pianist from Le Sueur, Minn., and Jake Kaehne, a senior vocalist from Bemidji.

Performing ensembles will be:
• The Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. Erika Svanoe, assistant professor of clarinet and director of bands at Bemidji State. The Wind Ensemble is a group focused on contemporary wind band pieces as well as 20th century concert band classics.
• Jazz Band I, directed by Dr. Steve Konecne, professor of instrumental music. Jazz Band I is an auditioned group that tours regionally and has performed in Mexico and Hawaii. Annual performances include “Jingle Jazz Concert,” “Remember When,” a nostalgic look at the Big Band Era, and the BSU Jazz Festival.
• The Chamber Singers, directed by Dr. Brad Logan, professor of music. The Chamber Singers is an ensemble of 16 singers specializing in literature for small choir, such as early English carols, Renaissance madrigals and chansons and selected contemporary works.
• The Bemidji Choir, founded by Thompson and now under the direction of Logan. The Bemidji Choir has gained a national and international reputation for excellence. In addition to concerts, tours and recordings, the choir produces annual Madrigal Dinners.

Concert proceeds are used to fund two $1,500 Carl O. Thompson Scholarships awarded to outstanding student musicians at BSU.

Thompson came to Bemidji State in 1937 as an instructor in vocal music and eventually founded the A Cappella Choir, the Bemidji Civic Oratorio Society and the Lutheran Campus Center. He lectured each summer for 20 years at the Paul Christiansen Choral Schools throughout the United States and directed numerous high school music clinics and festivals. He was past president of the Minnesota Music Educators Association, director of the First Lutheran Church Choir for 25 years and chair of Bemidji State’s Department of Music for many years.

For more information, please call the Department of Music at (218) 755-2915.